Robert Paylor: from paralysed to powerful

Robert Paylor was living the dream - a star rugby player at UC Berkeley competing for a national championship with his future mapped out perfectly. Then an illegal tackle shattered his spine and left him paralysed from the neck down.

Doctors told him he'd never so much as lift a piece of pizza to his mouth – let alone walk or play sport – that’s if he even survived the surgery. But Robert has a uniquely unbreakable mindset, and defied every medical prediction.

Today he walks with support, is married to the love of his life, and has a baby on the way. This is a masterclass not only in perseverance and grit but in how to turn life’s most tragic moments into your greatest purpose. Paylor is proof that how we respond to crisis matters far more than the crisis itself.

Five lessons you'll learn:

Control your mindset, not your circumstances. You can't control what happens to you, but you always have complete control over your response. Your positivity and willingness to fight is entirely up to you.

Seek discomfort before crisis hits. Don't wait for life to become challenging before you start challenging yourself. Build your resilient foundation when times are good so you can stand stronger when storms come.

Forgiveness is for you, not them. Holding onto anger and hate only hurts yourself. Forgiveness isn't about relieving guilt from those who wronged you - it's about removing negative attachments from your own life.

Reward effort over accomplishment. When going through adversity, focus on the work you're putting in rather than just the results you're achieving. Effort is the one thing you can always control.

Use perspective as your superpower. When struggling, ask yourself "compared to what?" Look at those who have less rather than those who seemingly have more. Healthy comparison is the key to happiness and reframes every challenge.